Region 6 Tournament
at Jackson Liberty

REGION 6 TRACK WRESTLING PAGE

Region Pages

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Schedule
Friday: Pre-Quarters / Quarters: 4:30pm
Saturday: Semis / Wrestlebacks: 9:30am
                 Finals / 3rd / 5th: 2:00pm

 

Shore Conference Teams

 

1 Qualifier: Hwt: #7 (Sr) Iquann Crawford (27-6)

The Blue Bishops are back at the Regions after missing out last year with senior Iquann Crawford representing the team. Crawford, seeded 7th at heavyweight, will be looking for Asbury's first Region medal since Jaylen Paige placed 2nd in 2018.

 

11 Qualifiers: 106: #3 (Fr) Sonny DiMatteo (24-6)  /  113: #5 (So) Michael Napolitano (19-9)  /  120: #5 (Jr) Gavin Martin (22-7)  /  126: #8 (So) Kson Young (14-12)  /  132: #10 (Sr) Ryan Henderson (11-12)  /  138: #7 (Sr) Thomas Prince (15-11)  /  144: #6 (Sr) Jack Torre (24-6)  /  157: #3 (Sr) Mason Pirnik (12-4)  /  165: #2 (So) Trey Tallmadge (26-8)  /  190: #1 (Jr) Harvey Ludington (29-0)  /  215: #1 (Jr) Ben Szuba (31-4)

Returning Placers: Harvey Ludington (1st: 2022 & 2023)  /  Michael Napolitano (3rd: 2023)  /  Ben Szuba (3rd: 2023)  /  Trey Tallmadge (4th: 2023)  /  Mason Pirnik (4th: 2023)  /  Gavin Martin (5th: 2023 / 6th: 2022)

Brick Memorial's 72 Region Champions is the most for any Shore Conference program; 11 more than #2 Southern's 61. The Stangs are currently on a run of 12 consecutive seasons with at least one champion. They are also on a run of six straight years with at least four Top 4 finishers.

Undefeated junior Harvey Ludington, a State Champion in 2022, is looking to become the 9th wrestler in program history with three Region Titles, while Michael Napolitano, Ben Szuba, Mason Pirnik, and Trey Tallmadge are looking for return trips to Boardwalk Hall.

 

4 Qualifiers: 113: #10 (Fr) Lucas D'Elia (26-9)  /  120: #10 (Jr) Ricky Gordillo (23-7)  /  165: #6 (Sr) Travis Trempy (19-15)  /  Hwt: #9 (Sr) William Walsh (24-11)

With their four qualifiers, and six last year, the Dragons have had more Region participants in the last two years than they had in the five previous tournaments combined. 

Lucas D'Elia is the Dragons' first freshman in the Regions since Evan Tallmadge in 2019, and is one of Brick's four entrants looking for the program's first State Tournament bid in four years.

 

8 Qualifiers: 106: #1 (So) Ethan Michaels (28-2)  /  138: #11 (So) Matt Anderson (18-13)  /  144: #8 (Sr) Mykhailo Shvets (14-4)  /  150: #3 (Sr) Tyler Russ (31-2)  /  157: #5 (Sr) Nicholas Fischer (24-8)  /  165: #9 (So) Brody Kaplan (23-8)  /  175: #11 (So) Dean Natale (13-12)  /  215: #3 (Sr) Amir Shakhnavazov (28-6)

Returning Placers: Tyler Russ (4th: 2022 / 5th: 2023)  /  Amir Shakhnavazov (5th: 2023)  /  Ethan Michaels (6th: 2023)

The Cougars had a run of six straight seasons with a State Qualifier snapped last season, and will be looking to get back to the boardwalk in 2024. A trio of Cougars earned money seeds, led by sophomore Ethan Michaels who earned the #1 seed at 106. Tyler Russ, who made it to AC in 2022, and Amir Shakhnavazov were each seeded #3. Both finished in 5th place last season.

 

9 Qualifiers: 106: #8 (Fr) Joseph Vezzosi (12-10)  /  113: #14 (So) Hank Mulligan (7-11)  /  120: #1 (Sr) Kurt Wehner (25-3)  /  126: #1 (Sr) Sawyer Ostroff (12-3)  /  138: #5 (Jr) Riley Gutierrez (16-10)  /  157: #8 (Jr) Brody Kountouris (7-11)  /  175: #15 Michael Colon (13-6)  /  190: #14 Diondre Foendoe (7-13)  /  Hwt: #1 (Sr) Sam Rock (17-4)

Returning Placers: Kurt Wehner (1st: 2022 & 2023 / 4th: 2021)  /  Sawyer Ostroff (2nd: 2022 / 3rd: 2023)  /  Sam Rock (4th: 2023)

The Griffins received a trio of #1 seeds with seniors Kurt Wehner, Sawyer Ostroff, and Sam Rock all getting top bracket slots. Wehner, who became the Griffins' first ever 2-time champ last year, is looking for the 3-peat. Ostroff, who returned for the postseason after missing a month of the season, is a 2-time medal winner. Rock, the #1 at heavyweight, advanced to Atlantic City last season after placing 4th at heavyweight in Region 7.

 

4 Qualifiers: 106: #4 (Jr) Josiah Sweeney (26-10)  /  120: #11 (Jr) Xander Bartuk (18-16)  /  132: #9 (Sr) Riley Tate (19-8)  /  Hwt: #5 (Sr) Carter Stokes (27-9)

The Colonials have had a State Qualifier in five of the last 6 seasons. They have four wrestlers competing for a trip to Atlantic City this year, the 3rd straight year they've had four or more Region Qualifiers. 

It is the 2nd Region appearance for Josiah Sweeney, who is Freehold's highest seed at #4 in the 106-pound weight class, and for Riley Tate, who made it to Regions in 2022. It is the first Region for junior Xander Bartuk and senior Carter Stokes, who became the first Colonial in 87 years to win a District Title in the heavyweight division.

 

3 Qualifiers: 106: #6 (Jr) Jaxon Zalepka (13-2)  /  138: #12 (Sr) Jack McCormick (21-12)  /  144: #7 (Sr) Tyler Muranelli (21-14)

The Patriots have multiple participants at Regions for the 9th straight season. It's been 23 years since Rob Morello won their last Region Title, but the Patriots have had plenty of medal winners over that period of time, and are currently on a run of three consecutive seasons with at least on medalist.

 

6 Qualifiers: 113: #3 (Sr) Anthony Urso (27-8)  /  120: #4 (So) Armani McCann (27-7)  /  126: #2 (So) Tucker Pazinko (27-6)  /  157: #4 (Jr) Jordan Ayyash (24-11)  /  190: #7 (Sr) Ksawery Niewiadomy (26-9)  /  215: #10 (Sr) Mark Agban (23-10)

Returning Placers: Anthony Urso (2nd: 2023 / 5th: 2021 & 2022)  /  Tucker Pazinko (3rd: 2023)  /  Armani McCann (5th: 2023)  /  Jordan Ayyash (5th: 2023)

Liberty is also on a streak of three seasons with at least one medalist at the Regions. They enter this year's tournament four wrestlers seeded in the top 4, led by senior Anthony Urso, who has placed in the Top 5 in each of his first three seasons, including a 2nd-place finish last year that sent him to Atlantic City.

Sophomore Tucker Pazinko earned the highest seed for Liberty, getting the #2 at 126. Pazinko also made it to AC last year after finishing 3rd at Regions. Armani McCann and Jordan Ayyash both just missed joining Urso and Pazinko on the boardwalk last year, as they finished 5th in the Region. They were both seeded #4 in their weights this season.

 

8 Qualifiers: 113: #4 (Sr) Joseph Weikel (28-7)  /  132: #5 (Sr) Jonathan Espinosa (20-8)  /  138: #3 (Sr) Jay Seda (23-6)  /  144: #2 (Sr) Cael Huxford (31-3)  /  150: #10 (Jr) Christopher Collins (15-13)  /  165: #5 (Jr) Ryan Wolf (28-7)  /  175: #14 (Jr) William Kovacs (12-15)  /  190: #8 (Jr) Jessup Adams (11-9)

Returning Placers: Jay Seda (2nd: 2022)  /  Cael Huxford (3rd: 2022 & 2023)  /  Joseph Weikel (4th: 2023)  /  Jonathan Espinosa (4th: 2022)

Jackson Memorial's 53 Region Champions is 3rd all-time in the Shore Conference, behind only Brick Memorial and Southern. They have four entrants who have previously made the trip to AC, as the Jags look to push multiple wrestlers to the State Tournament for the 4th consecutive year. 

Cael Huxford, a 2-time 3rd-place finisher at Regions, received the highest seed for the Jags, getting the #2 at 144. Jay Seda, a Region runner-up in 2022, did not compete in last year's postseason. He was seeded 3rd in the 138-pound weight class. Joseph Weikel, who finished 4th at 106 last year, and Jonathan Espinosa, a 4th-place finisher in 2022, are looking to make their 2nd trip to Boardwalk Hall.

 

2 Qualifiers: 215: #12 (Sr) Andres Perez (14-20)  /  Hwt: #4 (Jr) David Dominguez (16-6)

Junior heavyweight David Dominguez received the #4 seed, as the Piners are searching for their first medal winner since Dante Morris finished 4th in 2019. Dominguez will be joined by 215-pounder Andres Perez, giving Lakewood multiple Region participants for the 2nd time in 3 years.

 

7 Qualifiers: 132: #15 (Jr) Matt Munson (12-12)  /  138: #8 (So) Javier Guzman (15-12)  /  144: #5 (Sr) Daniel Ramirez (25-9)  /  150: #5 (Sr) Nick Miller (19-10)  /  157: #12 (Jr) Devon Smith (20-10)  /  165: #4 (Sr) Cristian Cunalata (28-6)  /  175: #2 (So) Tornick Kajaia (26-5)

Returning Placers: Tornick Kajaia (3rd: 2023)

The Green Wave, whose 39 Region Champions is 6th most in Shore Conference history, are sending at least half of their roster to the Regions for the 11th time in 12 years, with the lone exception being the Covid season in 2021. 

Sophomore Tornick Kajaia, a 3rd-place finisher at 175 last season, is the Wave's highest seed, getting the number 2 at 175. Seniors Nick Miller, Daniel Ramirez, and Cristian Cunalata are all making their 2nd Region appearance, and each received a seed in the Top 5 as LB looks to send multiple wrestlers to the boardwalk for the 2nd straight year. 

 

7 Qualifiers: 120: #6 (Sr) Andrew Mucciolo (36-3)  /  138: #2 (Sr) Vinny Kain (33-2)  /  144: #9 (Sr) Anthony Mucciolo (24-12)  /  165: #13 (Sr) Ardit Gola (20-17)  /  175: #8 (So) Donny Tibbet (19-17)  /  190: #6 (Sr) Constantine Kilaras (34-4)  /  215: #6 (Sr) Sergey Zavalnik (9-2)

Returning Placers: Andrew Mucciolo (5th: 2023)

The Braves are currently on a run of seven straight seasons with at least one State Qualifier. Six of the Braves' seven qualifiers this season are seniors, with Vinny Kain getting the highest seed, 2nd at 138.

Next highest seeds for the Braves were a trio receiving 6-seeds at their respective weights in Constantine Kilaras (190), Sergey Zavalnik (215), and Andrew Mucciolo (120), a 5th-place finisher last season who picked up his 100th career victory at Districts last weekend.

 

6 Qualifiers: 106: #11 (Fr) Shane Kerstetter (24-12)  /  126: #12 (Jr) Charlie Hunt (24-13)  /  138: #4 (Jr) Michael O'Connor (31-2)  /  150: #9 (Sr) Michael McNulty (27-10)  /  175: #9 (Sr) Brian Lee (26-10)  /  190: #4 (Sr) Noah Mammeri (29-7)

Returning Placers: Michael O'Connor (6th: 2022)

The Warriors six Region entrants is the most they've had in at least 20 years. If anyone knows of a season they had more, hit the email! 

Manasquan had their first State qualifier since 2017 last season when Torey Falkinburg placed 4th. They will be looking to make it back-to-back behind led by a pair of 4-seeds in senior Noah Mammeri (190), and junior Michael O'Connor, who became the program's first District Champion in 20 years last weekend when he won the District 22 138-pound title.

 

1 Qualifier: 132: #8 (Jr) Ryan Walsh (26-5)

The Falcons have a Region qualifier for the 7th time in the last 8 years in junior Ryan Walsh. Walsh is the program's first 2-time qualifier since Kevin Cartagena-Walsh went back-to-back in 2019 & 2020, and will be looking for the Falcons' first medal since 2007, when Anthony Bongarzone and Paul Schweighardt both reached the podium.

 

2 Qualifiers: 132: #7 (Jr) Thomas Drea (19-6)  /  215: #9 (So) Jarairya Jean (20-6)

Thomas Drea and Jarairya Jean represent the Scarlet Fliers this season at the Regions, marking the 17th time in 19 years Neptune has had multiple entrants at the Regions. Drea made it to Regions last year as a sophomore, and the sophomore Jean qualifying this year makes it back-to-back seasons for the Fliers' having an underclass qualifier, the first time they've done that since 2016 & 2017.

 

8 Qualifiers: 106: #5 (So) Justin Penta (21-5)  /  126: #6 (So) Steven Perez (23-6)  /  132: #6 (Fr) Dom Volek (29-7)  /  144: #3 (Jr) Boomer Volek (27-5)  /  150: #2 (Sr) James Farina (33-2)  /  157: #13 (So) Josh Calixte (22-11)  /  175: #4 (Sr) Michael Poniros (15-2)  /  215: #8 (Jr) Danny Farina (24-9)  

Returning Placers: James Farina (3rd: 2021 & 2023 / 4th: 2022)  /  Boomer Volek (5th: 2023)

The Spartans' eight qualifiers is their most since they sent 9 to the Regions in 2020. 3-time State Qualifier senior James Farina, who reached 100 career wins earlier this season, is the Spartans' highest seed, getting the #2 at 150. Two other Spartans received money seeds with senior Michael Poniros, making his 2nd Region appearance, seeded 4th at 175, and junior Boomer Volek, who finished 5th last season, getting the #3 at 144.

 

2 Qualifiers: 150: #12 (Jr) Jude Bowers (24-6)  /  Hwt: #6 (Sr) Marcos Kaiafas (26-4)

The Gulls have a pair of entrants at this year's tournament with senior Marcos Kaiafas, the heavyweight champion at District 22, and junior Jude Bowers. Both wrestlers will be looking to give the Gulls their first State Qualifier since Riley Simon made it in 2021.

 

6 Qualifiers: 113: #2 (Jr) Joey DeAngelo (32-3)  /  126: #4 (Jr) Frankie Burgio (22-12)  /  150: #8 (Jr) Braden Pratt (16-13)  /  157: #2 (Fr) Jake Clayton (35-1)  /  165: #1 (Sr) Ryan Acquisto (34-5)  /  Hwt: #10 (So) George Walsh (16-12)

Returning Placers: Joey DeAngelo (2nd: 2023 / 4th: 2022)  /  Frankie Burgio (3rd: 2022 & 2023)  /  Ryan Acquisto (5th: 2022)

Led by four wrestlers seeded in the Top 4, the Panthers have six participants in the Regions for the 8th time in 9 years, with the Covid season being the lone year they didn't hit a half dozen qualifiers. They'll be looking to push numbers to the boardwalk, while also aiming for their first Region Title since Francis Marshall won in 2018.

Senior Ryan Acquisto, a 5th-place finisher last year, grabbed the #1 seed at 165. He enters the weekend with 96 career wins. Junior Frankie Burgio, a 2-time 3rd-place finisher was seeded 4th at 126, while fellow junior Joey DeAngelo, a runner-up last season and 4th-place finisher in 2022, received a #2 at 113. Also receiving a #2 seed was Jake Clayton at 157, who enters the tournament leading all freshmen in the Shore Conference in wins.

 

2 Qualifiers: 165: #8 (Fr) Cole Torres (28-8)  /  190: #10 (Sr) Jack Stetter (27-9)

For the 12th consecutive season, Shore Regional will have multiple representatives at the Region Tournament with senior Jack Stetter and freshman Cole Torres (who I still haven't called by his brother's name yet, but I will eventually) representing the Blue Devils. Cade, I mean Cole, gives Shore back-to-back seasons with a freshman Region qualifier, and their heaviest since Jamie Mazzacco made it at 170 in 2019.

 

6 Qualifiers: 113: #9 (So) Omar Carrillo-Solano (19-13)  /  120: #8 (Jr) Charles Mahoney (19-12)  /  138: #6 (Fr) Parker Quinn (26-6)  /  144: #1 (Sr) Donovan DiStefano (31-3)  /  157: #10 (Fr) Jeremy Marsella (22-10)  /  175: #6 (Sr) Nicholas Wonsala (20-14)

Returning Placers: Donovan DiStefano (1st: 2022 & 2023 / 4th: 2021)

The Knights have gone 12 seasons in a row with at least one Region medal winner. They look to extend that streak with senior Donovan DiStefano, the #1-seed at 144, leading the charge. DiStefano placed 4th at Regions as a freshman, and won back-to-back titles in 2022 & 2023. He is looking to join Nick Roy, Brett Donner, and Rob Kanniard, as the 4th 3-time Region Champion in program history.

Predictions

106: Michaels (Colts Neck)
113: Borrometi (St Peter's Prep)
120: Wehner (Donovan Catholic)
126: Ostroff (Donovan Catholic)
132: Schinina (St Peter's Prep)
138: Ricciardi (St Peter's Prep)
144: DiStefano (Wall)
150: Fuller (St Peter's Prep)
157: Nevlin (St Peter's Prep)
165: Ruiz (St Peter's Prep)
175: Verdi (St Peter's Prep)
190: Ludington (Brick Memorial)
215: Szuba (Brick Memorial)
Hwt: Rock (Donovan Catholic)